...it remains these pages are the only way to fully understand Lia when she can neither understand nor translate what she feels...

And after whatever blow up and frustrating confusion was boiled and brewed on the evening with Saria, it is still that she cares immensely for Alkane, regardless. Something stronger between the two is apparent to Lia, that warm tie of kin or blood brothers, as it were, as opposed to the modest and distant glow of mere friends. Whatever it is that saved her from the Falling of the Skies to bring her here, is owed a grand bit of gratitude for keeping her close with her most favorite companion. Alkane, you truly are 'The Bessess"

--Journal entry 22 July, Thirlia

"Oh boy~" ~he grins to his mother who writes for him, as he tells her word-by-word what exactly to say.
"I'm is gonna be a faaaamess rider ((writer)) huh, mommy?" he beams, rubbing his hands together as he licks his lips in preperation of his "speech".

"Furliahh wher's is yew? I'ms missin' yew playin' w-ore wif me!" he pauses a moment... "An' fanks yew for th'knights yew got for my birffday!!! Yew know wha'Furliahh?? NO ONES else gots me a prezzies for my birffday." he sulks.
"Well, I'ms sick o'riding so I'ms is jus' gonna talk to yew ladder ohkay?"

--Journal entry 23 July, Alkane Blade Carazzi.

::She glances about the empty PleasureDome and sighs as she comes to a blank page in her journal::

Ah, let's see...I helped Ali with the talent show this eve. Ah it was nice not to be one of the judged... Jane truly deserved first place...her poem was so beautiful. Everyone was great and really talented.

I have been speaking with many people, some rude some not. But it is always nice to meet new people.

I haven't seen Jasmin in a while. I am sure she is busy keeping up the house, but I would like to see her. Ah I hope Dan is doing ok...and Mgas, and even Nun are safe and sound. I can't wait to see them again, though I have a few things to discuss with Dan when I see him.

Everyone seems overall happy. Which is always a good thing, though I was approached about something.

Jane and Tiger are trying to get a few together to deal with this whole foliage thing. The foliage is browning and there hasn't been any rain. So that can not be a good thing. I am sure the population of the Isle will figure out something. I have faith in them.

I gave Nestasia advice earlier...tell Claude how she feels about him. She needs to tell him before another lady catches his eye, if one hasn't already. Like I told her...I learned that the hard way. And it is so hard getting over something like that. Ah I feel I have rambled on enough...

--Journal entry 23 July, Lina Metallium

:: sits awake at the foot of his treehouse, his wife asleep upstairs, takes out a quill and parchment and writes::

Well... I'm not one to really write things down *smiles* But a lot has occurred in my life as of late. Recently married and a "New" father, this has been quite an exciting three months.

Alas I must now depart and i don't know for how long. A brother I have? that's what I was told. this was completely unexpected and while I should be overjoyed, I am irate! not at my brother but at my..... ahem, the elf who begat me. I fear that my "brother" was mothered by a slave and is languishing in slave pits himself. I will kill my father if ever given the chance. I will miss my wife and daughter terribly, and it's unfair that I must now go and leave them. but This boy did nothing wrong to be enslaved. I must go seek him out *sighs a bit* Tiger and Saria...I love you both...Always

::stops writing because he's sick::

--Journal entry 23 July, Vrax Lorinar

:::Resting at a waterfall, deep within the island, alone, she takes out the journal she purchased a lifetime ago seemingly and scans the skimpy entries there from a different chapter in her life...a different mindset altogether...a diary bought with the intent of chronicling her life, happy as it once was...a life that was to be with Claude:::

It's been awhile.

I've been hiding. Hiding from a lot of things. Dealing with myself. My hurt. The hurt I inflicted. I know I did. Reflecting. Pondering. What happened? Dreams. Hopes. Desires. Plans. What happened?

My attempt to shield myself...in vain. My attempt to clarify what mattered to me...what was important to me...for naught. I think he loved me. He said he did. I think I made him happy. He said I did. Why, then, would he not give me the small things I needed to stay? Too demanding? Perhaps. I never thought so, but perhaps. So be it. It's who I am. Small things matter. Maybe more to me than they should. But they shouldn't be so hard.

The sad part...I think he never even understood my reasons. Despite my best efforts to explain. Too late. The more you love someone, the more power they have to hurt you...and the deeper the cut when they do. Ahhh well...I'm sure he's faring just fine. I have no doubt he'll find a replacement easily enough, if he hasn't already. And I'm where I need to be...away.

Was it always my answer to run away? Yes...I suppose it really was.

Withdrawal. My answer. My safeguard.

Solitude. My sojourn. My solace.

Good thing I don't mind my own company.

Maybe I should think about returning to the fray. Become social again.

Maybe I will.

But not today.

:::Closes her journal after re-reading the entry, then stands and looks to the waterfall before diving into the deep:::

--Journal entry 24 July, Rowsy Sinclair

::she bites her lip as she looks at the blank page in her journal, thinking of how to put her thoughts to paper::

A few things have happened between now and last eve...Enough to put to paper.

Let me start with the beginnings of what turned out to be a particularly bad evening...I had spoken to Claude about a few things, none which he cared to discuss. So, as usual, he became rather rude with me. And yes, his words hurt. I doubt he cares. Why would anyone? Perhaps he is right, and such a plain lady should not have such an elaborate mouth. But I vowed last night that I refuse to help anyone like that again. It gives me too much grief.And frankly, I tire of all the flack I get for caring. Though I did promise Ali Ben Alterio and Vixen to help them with what happened...though I will be in Alterio's debt if he comes through with a favor for me, which I dare not write to words, muchless say. So I suppose this helping the four can be considered repayment in advance...

Though I hated to lie to Nestasia...but I know deep within my heart that Claude will hurt her...

Why does he anger me so? It is as if he knows what buttons to push with me. And why does he do it? Does he really hate me so? What have I ever done to him, other than point out what he blatantly shows to everyone? I don't know...

::she shakes her head and sighs softly::

I shouldn't let things as such bother me so. I should just let it go. that is what I keep telling myself. But how much can I let go? Many insult me directly or even indirectly. Though I let most go...but not all. And if he wishes to insult me further without cause, I will make him sorry he ever met sweet innocent Lina. I ramble on far too much...

--Journal entry 24 July, Lina Metallium

Perhaps the spell didnt work? ::he mutters hurredly, as he runs from the waterfall he saw Rowsy at. He had stolen a look at her journal during her swim, and now hurries off. Perturbed by most of the isle. He begins to write, as he sits at the beach, near the docked Tororian, it being fitted for another smuggling trip before the famine hits in full force::

I did not know what to do when I saw Row...I simply saw her there writing. Though I thought little of it, at first. It ate at me. I read her entry, she remembered me...Perhaps we have to much of a history for her to forget. I dont know. In any rate, I am almost at the point of guilt about that mouthy little wench Lina. She could be trouble perhaps, but she is only another busybody, that could profit by finding a man. It is noble of her, to try and help so many, though her words find no solace with me.

Nestasia, told me she cared for me. I can barely find words to express my frustration. Care? For me? I've literally been evil. For good reason, to stay forgotten. I don't want the world knowing my name, I'd rather live in my obscurity. Forget myself, and run my business. Findng combat. Making time with the isle's women. Not be in another relationship, where I will as the islanders said. " Be controlled. " or as I say, " Just lose it in the end. " I dont care anymore really. Though Nestasia, is making her claim on me it seems, I can barely fight it. Though when I saw Row, I didnt know why my heart skipped a beat.

Gawds....I should of left so many monthes ago. But now its to late, Time to finish my little game. I don't even have to own up to knowing Row...though...I'd rather own up to it...Damn. Good Night.

--Journal entry 24 July, Claude Torrent

For my first entry, it isn't exactly too cheerful. I sit here in the Dome missing my husband more every minute. But I do have an important upcoming event, that I hope will take my mind off my worries. This drought has gone far enough, and I have started to take the job up of gathering food and water because of it. The Dome needs to be one of those places that is fully stocked, for the people who aren't fully stocked and are in need of food and water. Ben said he would teach me a rain spell so I can be one of the mages to help it rain. I want very much to stay on the island, and I hope the mage-made rain will help it flourish once more. And then I bring the topic to the Sharken. I didn't tell Vrax, but when I stepped in the water the day Alterio, Vixen and Ben were inside, I was lucky to evade the bite of the thing. But I wish I hadn't had left that night, because now more problems branch out from just a silly old bite. I'm a healer, so maybe I and someone else could think of a way to settle the problems once more. Until then...all I can do is sit and worry....*she sighs and closes the journal, for another time..hopefully, a happier time*

--Journal entry 25 July, Tiger Goddess

::This Time, Alkane just scribbles with charcoal what he's feeling--The picture coming out as a mess of scribbled lines, an insuperable feeling he can not place. He sounds a few words out, only to hear the reverberations of his own voice trailing into nothing, ascertaining that he feels better after "writing" and that he should do it more often::

"'lo, whoeffer is dere. I'm is gonna call yew.. hmm.. Kobe!. Yew is m'new enveesable fren'.. bu'yew ain'as fren't'me like Furliahh is tho okay? Kobe, I's wans yew to know tha' I's DUNNWANNA be th'LADIESSSS MANNN an'more!! Yew know how my mommy an' daddy, an' Aun'y Yahhnahh an' Unc'Bean, an' how Ti-tigs an' V'ax is? Well, I'ms glad YEW do, cause I's SHER as beansblozzom DUNNO.

Y'see, Sahhreeyahh an' I's is frens, bu' she's talkin' like she wans me tah be a DIFFer'nt kinda fren' an' I's gots nooooooo clue WHA' she's talkin' bout, bu's'okay rah? EEnyhow!! So I'ms in dere in th'dome wif Sahhreeyahh talkin' to her is ALL i's was doin' an' Furliahh comes in an' gits mad cause I'ms talkin' to 'nover fren'.. an' she goes an' throwses her lil mens in th'water!!! ALL th'red one's bu'dis many..

An' I's dinnit see if she threwed th'black ones in either!!! NOW how'm I's s'posed to play W-ore wif her?!!!!!

So when's I's go in dere an' try to make Furliahh feel bedder an' tell her tha' I'm like her more 'cause I's knowed her more-er, Sahhreeyahhh comes an' Holds m'hand!!!!!!

THEN wha'wassI s'poseded t'do?!!

I's dinnit wanna hurt Sahhreeyah's fings (feelings) an' zertaintly (certainly) dinnit wanna hurt FURLIAHH's fings ee-ver. Furliahh 'quewzes ME of takin' SAHHREEYAHHS COODEEZ! Y'see, tha's nod all tha' bad, relly.. jus' tha' I's toleded FURLIAHH Tha' I's just wanned HER coodeez ONLY! An' tha's whad I's thought I's had ONLY.. bu'I's guess not, huh!

I's RELLY need some Cow-sling! (counseling)

Wha'Do I's need t'DO?!!!!! Puh-LEASE Helb (help) me!!!

I's will give yew some chocco miwk an' moshmewwows if yew do! An' I's promise I'm is gonna be good if yew help me, I's dunnWANNA be a LAAADDIIEESSS MAAANNNNN 'nymore!!!!!"

~A'kane D'leeta Bwade C'razzee

::Almost to the point of tears in total frustration, but sucking it up and puffing his chest out to look tough::

--Journal entry 25 July, Alkane Blade Carazzi